A/N: If you don't want to read lemon, skip from "Can I…?" to "This is the most confusing day of my life." And then again from "I want you _" to "The flickering of the lights…".

"I'm sorry, what?" Aang was incredulous, Sokka speechless.

"The Earth King will not be sending troops to the western Earth Kingdom." General Hu almost seemed annoyed at their confusion.

Sokka regained his composure and walked towards the throne. "So the Fire Nation openly attacks the Earth Kingdom, hurts Earth Kingdom citizens, and you're going to do nothing?"

"King Kuei, please. They need your help," Aang implored.

He pet Bosco nervously. "If my generals say we shouldn't spare the troops…"

"Innocent people are going to die!"

"We can't leave Ba Sing Se unprotected," said another general, supporting his colleague.

Sokka dropped his forehead to his palm. "You could stop this before it even comes close to the walls, King Kuei. The world needs you!"

A third general laughed a quick chortle. "Isn't that what we have the Avatar for? Sounds like you were handling it just fine."

Katara couldn't sleep. She'd wanted to go with Aang and Sokka, but they had convinced her to go home. Aang asked her to get everyone home, to take care of Appa and his saddle. He reminded her that she had been up for hours on end healing him and needed rest. She couldn't say no to the pleading look in his eyes. But all that was done now and despite being in her comfiest PJs and under her blankets with sleep music on, she was wide awake. She texted her brother and Aang repeatedly asking how it was going, and all she got back was a "Not great" and then radio silence.

Suki and Toph had long passed out, so she was left alone to her thoughts. Luckily Momo had decided to keep her company. She switched on the TV and watched a few hours of The Great British Baking Show, checking her phone every few minutes as they moved from pastry week to cookies and so on. Not even Mary Berry could calm her nerves.

A noise made her jump out of bed. It came from the living room but didn't sound like either of her roommates. She brought a finger to her lips to shush Momo whose ears were perked up in alarm as she made to open her door. The room was empty. She heard the noise again, a light banging on the balcony that was slowly getting louder and more desperate.

It was Aang. Katara ran to the balcony and unlocked it, letting him in. Immediately she knew something was really wrong. He looked like a lost, terrified puppy. Before she could get a good look at him, he practically collapsed in her arms. His chest heaved and he dropped his glider on the floor without concern. A quick check showed he wasn't physically hurt, but he sobbed nonetheless. "Katara…"

"Shhh, okay, okay, come on, let's go to my room." Katara managed to move his grip to allow them to walk into her room. She sat him on the bed next to her cradled his head to her chest, her cheek pressed to the top of his head. "Please tell me what's wrong."

Aang let out a series of incoherent phrases that she couldn't put together, but she assumed it was something about their meeting with the Earth King. Or maybe On Ji, Katara thought with a twinge of jealousy. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment until it passed. "Okay, let it out."

Katara's chest ached seeing him like this, her normally upbeat friend in so much pain. Friend. She remembered his words from the beach house. He was hers if she wanted it.

It was suddenly ironic to her, knowing what it felt like to be in his sturdy arms, but having him so helpless in hers. Maybe he did turn into a puddle around him, and maybe it didn't bother her at all like the comment had. It was almost humbling, the way he trusted her so completely with his body and mind. How willing he was to show her this weaker side, how comfortable he was with it. How unabashed he was about how much he needed her. The way he just...gave himself to her.

Despite his state, Katara was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to kiss him. Not in a self-satisfying sort of way, the way their hot kisses had felt the other night, but as if to just show him how much she cared in a way that her arms and words couldn't. To remind him that they were alive and she was there. With the courage that only a lack of sleep could provide, she cupped his face in her hands, wiping the tears with her thumbs. He tried to pull away, not wanting her to see his face red and puffy, but she held firm. His lips trembled when she pressed hers against them, firm and chaste. She felt his breathing hitch and a sob rose from his chest.

He pulled back, surprised out of the majority of his tears. "Katara?"

She kept her eyes closed and rested her forehead against his. "Did something happen with Kuei?"

"Yeah," His voice cracked. "He's refusing to help, at all."

Katara shook her head lightly and sighed in annoyance. She held his face in her hands firmly and continued to wipe away tears with her thumb.

"And...I don't know what to do. The generals said it's my job to end this and protect all those people. They acted like I was being ridiculous and asking them to do my job." Aang brought in a shaky breath. "It's like, we were just taking shots on the beach a few days ago...and now I'm supposed to stop a war by myself?"

She grabbed his hands earnestly, squeezing hard. "But you're not by yourself. You have me, you have all of us."

Aang sniffled and brought Katara into his arms to envelop her in a hug. Her hair smelled like calm. "I don't deserve it," he mumbled. For a while they just squeezed each other, letting Aang's nerves slowly calm as they breathed in and out together.

"Before, Katara…" he pulled away and slipped a nervous hand into hers. "Was that...real? Did you mean that?"

Katara's heart skipped a little beat when his newly nervous eyes met hers. This was a moment she had been putting out of her mind, pushing herself to ignore, because she didn't want to ruin whatever relationship it looked like he had. Even though she had known where he stood for days now, the moment was still somehow intense and almost terrifying. She could only manage to nod. How could she tell him that she'd memorized all of his features, dreamed about him in a way that was totally new?

He let out a big breath and closed his eyes for a moment before looking back up. Her eyes were big in vulnerable in a way that made his head spin. "Can I…?"

He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. It was slow, deliberate, an aching need to savor every bit of it. Unlike the desperate touches on the beach nights prior, there was no edge, no danger. Just, them. Katara began to unknot his robe with practiced fingers, used to helping for healing sessions. His lips moved on hers softly and he reached a hand up to cup her cheek. His heart could burst from the up and downs of his emotions that night. From terrified of the responsibilities on his shoulders to the utter relief and comfort of this woman he knew he loved every part of. She wanted him, like this! Like he had wanted her for so long.

Neither of them knew when they had shifted but they faced each other lying down on her bed. Slow hands made their way around to necks, chests, legs, stomachs. Katara could feel how right it was, the same feeling on the beach. Somehow she could feel his touches weren't truly out of lust like most of the men she had been with before. Each one was almost reverent. His fingers hesitated at the hem of her shirt, pulling himself out of their kiss to check for confirmation. The attention to her comfort made her smile, nodding. But as he pulled her shirt upwards, she slid her skirt down her legs, letting him help her in awe. He kissed her again, slipped his tongue into her mouth, and ran his fingers lightly over her stomach. She shivered and he smiled against her lips.

She brought one of her legs between his, bringing their bodies even more flush than they had before. If the fact that he was enjoying it wasn't immediately obvious from the hard heat pressed against her, the little whimper he let out when they pressed closer was more than enough evidence. He pulled back, a little overwhelmed and dizzy, and pressed light kisses on her jaw and cheek. Feeling things were a little unfair, Katara worked to draw down his pants, leaving them both only in their bindings. "You're so beautiful, you know." He left a long kiss on her neck, where he had on Ember Island. "Sometimes I don't think you realize it."

"Oh, I realize it," Katara said, deadpan. Aang's laugh pulled him away from her neck and he found he couldn't stop. He laughed until his stomach began to cramp. They giggled softly together as he fell on his back and his hands rubbed his tired eyes.

"This is the most confusing day of my life."

Katara propped herself up on her arm to look at him. "What do you mean?"

He smiled at her ruefully. "None of it feels real. You, Kuei, the Fire Nation. Everything made sense when we were leaving the beach house and now everything's upside down. What am I going to do?"

"Listen." She placed her free arm on his chest, her hand laying over his heart. If not for the serious turn of their conversation, she would have laughed at how his pulse quickened at her touch. "We are going to figure it out. Just because the Earth King is dragging his feet doesn't mean you're going to do this alone." Aang closed his eyes tight and let out a terse breath. "And this…" She leaned in for a long, soft kiss. "...is real if you want it to be."

Aang brushed her wavy hair out of her face as she spoke. "Do you want it to be real?"

She laughed. "I'm pretty sure I just said that."

He shot her a lopsided grin, looking around as if he wasn't sure. "I don't know...it would be pretty nice to hear you say you want me. Because I want you, Katara." His eyes when from mirthful to open, honest, and vulnerable.

"Fine." She smiled at his expectant face. "I want you, Aang. I'm yours."

At her words, something new showed in his eyes, and he pushed her onto her back and kissed her hard. She gasped at his sudden movements but tucked her hands in the sides of his bindings, just on his hips. Together, still fervently dropping kisses wherever skin was close enough, they undid the last of each other's bindings.

For a while, finally, it would just be the two of them. No friends, no On Ji, no wars. Just the ecstasy of meeting, flesh to flesh, skin tingling at every touch, with the person they had craved so badly.

Though Katara could barely think, a part of her laughed at her former self who hadn't jumped at the chance to be with him earlier, all those months ago. She ran her hands over the muscles of his back as if it were second nature. The adoration in his eyes, in his every touch, made her feel small and completely high at the same time. How could she have ever believed this wasn't it for her? She hoped soft whispers and gentle touches would be enough to quell any lingering doubt he may have had about her feelings for him.

It was still, to Aang, feeling like a dream, but somehow so grounding to be with her in this way despite the chaos that had settled so suddenly in their life. Though he'd imagined it way too many times to admit, the softness of her skin touching his lower stomach made him ache with pleasure. Seeing the look of desire and need in her eyes, one that he knew he could have for himself at least in this moment, caused his helpless heart to squeeze painfully in his chest. He wanted to explore every curve of her, every piece of that soft skin with his mouth, his eyes, his tongue.

Neither would have any concept of the time that passed while they focused that exploration, but eventually their giggles turned into whimpers and long sighs, and Aang and Katara would soon fall asleep for the first time that night.

The flickering of light hit Katara's eyes. The TV. The events of just a few hours ago came crashing back into her mind when she smelled Aang's scent under her and opened her eyes to an arm with a blue tattoo. She bit her lip and flushed, remembering how they came together before she fell asleep. His arms were tightly around her, bringing her into a warm cocoon. He had turned on Golden Girls, one of his favorites, and also one that Toph teased him relentlessly about.

"I'm sorry," he murmured into her hair. "I didn't mean to wake you."

She lifted her head to his and gave him a long, lingering kiss and he sighed. "What are you doing up?"

"Just had a little trouble falling asleep. You fell asleep so quick, it was adorable."

She ignored his comment and looked up at him. "After that? How could you possibly have any energy left."

He smiled and shook his head. "No, Katara, you definitely wore me out in that way. Not that I could ever bring myself to turn you down. I was just thinking."

Katara smirked, feeling a little powerful. "Thinking?"

"I…is this all really fair to you, Katara?"

She sat up at his words to look down at him with worry on her brow. "What are you talking about, Aang?"

He groaned and brought a palm to his face. "I don't know, I got worried. That bringing us close like this is selfish of me." She opened her mouth but he cut her off before she could speak. "I know, I know, I've wanted this for a long time. I guess I never thought it would happen so it didn't matter, it was just a fantasy. But, the world was at peace when we met anyway. You just looked so small asleep before. If this were to escalate to war…"

"Do you really think I've made an uninformed choice here? I mean, I was at the Earth Kingdom town too. And I've always known that you weren't just going to be partying forever."

"No, but-"

She copied his move from the beach house and pressed two fingers to his lips. "But nothing. It's not like I can't handle myself in a fight. I'm a big girl and I know what I signed up for. Do you want to be with me?"

He looked down with wide, childlike eyes and answered quietly after pausing. "More than anything I've ever wanted, Katara."

She smiled triumphantly. "Then that's settled then, we'll be together. No need to be worried."

"Katara," he laughed and squeezed her closer, "it's not settled just like that. The thought of possibly putting you in even more danger just makes me feel sick."

She pursed her lips and leaned back to look at the ceiling. "Well, you being in danger makes me feel sick too. How do you think I'd feel if I couldn't be there at all? You're always going to be the Avatar."

He smiled painfully. "You're right, but there could be danger around me for the rest of our lives."

"Aang, I'm going to be there whether we're together or not. You have to know that, don't you?"

Aang took on the sweet but determined expression on her face, knowing that he did know. She'd never leave him if he needed her friendship or help. He sighed and rubbed his hand up and down her arm. "Yeah, you're right. I'd always be there too. I don't deserve you. Any of you, really, but you especially."

"Yes," she smiled, kissing his cheek lightly. "You do. It's the rest of the world that doesn't deserve you."

He squeezed her in his arms and pressed his face into her sweet-smelling hair. "You're so perfect, Katara." Feeling him relax, she rubbed his cheek with her thumb until his breathing evened out and he drifted off.

Katara awoke with a start. She would have jolted upwards if Aang didn't have an iron grip on her like he was afraid she'd vanish if he let go. He roused up in an instant, turning a concerned face to hers almost immediately. "Are you okay?"

She nodded and let her heartbeat slow before a slow smile came over her face. "Don't laugh at me, please."

"Of course I won't laugh at you. Was it a nightmare?"

"Sort of. I dreamed that we told everyone about us."

"And?"

"Well, it was pretty nonsensical after that... Toph started firebending on Appa, Suki kept asking for our passports, and Sokka morphed into Momo and tried to scratch my eyes out."

Aang, who had been holding in a laugh, was unable to keep it in any longer. She sat up and swatted him. "You said you wouldn't laugh!"

"I'm sorry, how could I not?" She hit him playfully again and he caught his breath. "I'm sorry for laughing, it's just Momo would never. Right Momo?"

Momo did not respond, relatively traumatized from what he had walked in on earlier in the night between his two humans, and was grouchily rooting through Katara's bathroom.

"Well in my dream he did!"

"Okay, okay." Aang sat up and rubbed her back encouragingly. "I'm sorry I laughed. Are you...having anxiety about telling everyone about us? Is that what's on your mind?" The thought put a bit of fear in his heart, but he forced himself to breathe.

She groaned. "I don't want to be nervous! I just don't want to hear it from them. They're going to be so…"

"Them?" he finished for her.

"Yes, them. Sokka always hates everyone I date, Toph will just harass us even more now."

He grabbed her and forced her to look in his eyes very seriously. "I'm willing to lose Sokka's love for you."

"Oh stop!" She laughed. "He doesn't hate you. I think he's been rooting for us to get together for a while."

He smiled at her laugh, it was like music to his ears, especially after her nightmare. "Oh, he'll be annoying about it. But yes, I think he has. I think everyone kind of has, to be honest." He frowned. "Or maybe our friends just like watching me suffer."

"I guess I'm glad they did, even if they just wanted to mess with you."

"I'm glad too. So what are you so worried about?"

"I guess there's all this added pressure. Because everyone was expecting it, and I was the only one who didn't see it. And I guess I'm a little afraid some people might see me as a homewrecker or something. Obviously not like our immediate friends. But people we see out a lot."

He took a pause before approaching what he was hoping wasn't too delicate a topic. "People like...On Ji? The KWs?"

She nodded. "I'm so stupid."

"It's not stupid at all, Katara. Honestly, I think most of them were also on the bandwagon for us getting together."

"Yue!" Katara laughed, recalling her friends' manipulation.

"And when I break things off with On Ji more officially, I'll make it clear that it's not because of you, okay?"

"Oh." Katara scrunched her face. "I forgot about that."

"Yeah. I can't say I'm really looking forward to it. But you should be clear on that too. She and I were never right. I was going to break things off before any of this happened."

Katara smiled and kissed him deeply. "I know, but thank you for saying it."

Aang jumped out of the bed and pulled a robe off the floor. "Of course. I'm all yours, sweetie. I'm getting water. Do you want anything from the kitchen?"

Katara shook her head, wrinkling her nose at the nickname but didn't totally hate it. No one had called her 'sweetie' before. He gave her a peck before groping his way to the kitchen in the dark, mostly knowing the way, but still a little unclear with the lack of light. He made it to the cabinets with the glasses and pulled one out. Despite the fact that he had determined the events of the evening to be very real, it still felt like he was walking through a daydream. He'd been in their apartment so many times but he had never thought like this. Staying the night in anything other than a drunken haze on the couch.

"So, you finally bagged Sugar Queen?"

Nearly dropping the glass, Aang felt his heart nearly jump out of his chest. "Spirits, Toph. Really? You had to? You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Oh, you want to talk about heart attacks?" He located Toph in the dark, sitting at the counter with a bowl of cereal. "Imagine my surprise when I walk to my bathroom in the middle of the night and hear those vibrations!" She brought a hand to her chest as if she had any sense of propriety. "You exposed my poor feet to an absolute scandal."

Aang filled the glass and shook his head with a smile on his face. "Give it a rest."

"Well? Everything you dreamed of? Completely magical? Oma and Shu reincarnated?"

"Toph, come on. She's already nervous about all of you harassing us about it, please promise me you will go easy on her." He paused to take a sip of the water. "But yeah, all that."

"Absolutely no dice on taking it easy on Sweetness, but points for trying. I'll be good though, I won't tell Sokka." She smiled broadly. "I'll leave that one to you two."

"Gee thanks." He started back towards the bedroom.

"No problem, Twinkletoes. I'm nothing if not considerate!"

When Aang reentered the bedroom with the water, and the chocolate he'd snatched from the pantry, Katara was peacefully asleep. He smiled, and carefully slid in next to her so as not to wake her.

Review replies:

Anak007: I can't believe you check every day! I hope this update is worth the devotion. Literally crying.

Guest: More FN explanation to come soon! It made me so happy that you enjoyed the action scenes. I was genuinely terrified to post them!

CloudBender7: I love Sokka but I don't respect him like I do Suki lmaoo

Hilmintonhamhigh: I'm sorry your sister yelled at you, but I'm so glad I elicited that response (:

Whataboutsecondbreakfas4: Thank you so much! I wrestled with the action scene for literal weeks and was so scared to post it!

Grandkhagan: Thank you! I'm so glad it came off intense instead of lame haha, because that's how it felt when I wrote it at first

Monkeyfeathers: It was so satisfying to write him finally be like ok I'm being a little dumb, even though I also enjoyed writing him a little frustrated too!

Carla: So happy I could tempt you back into reading, and I hope that THIS chapter brought you all the kataang you've been craving :) Also your bat mitzvah comment made me crack up.

Boscos-hat: The spirituality of the show is something I so enjoyed, and I wanted to try to bring a bit of it into this world, even if it's a bit of a trashy college world. I don't think his character works really well without it sometimes. And, BY ON JI! I felt so horrible for her writing the previous chapter but it was time for her to go bye bye. I'm excited to explore some college life during an international crisis!

Unoriginalpoet: Yay to squealing! I love angst that drags on for just too long :) At first I wasn't sure how much I wanted to include the air nomads and their philosophies into this world, especially because one of the 5 precepts in Buddhism is don't do drugs or drink, BUT I think it will be fun to explore that a little bit going forward, and to make Aang have to confront his ideas about what college would be, his culture, and his role as the Avatar. It's not that deep, but I'm having a good time out here. If it makes you feel any better, the action scene has been sitting there for weeks and I just kept editing it because I hated it so much. So basically, it took forever, but eventually seems to have gotten there? Idk, it was super challenging!

Ashcat39: Thank you so much for reading! I hope this chapter satisfies the kataang craving.

Guest: KATARA GOT HER MAN YAY :D

Ashley Barbosa: You hoped right! I think we'll deal with On Ji in the next chapter!